A meeting was set on March 3, 2008 and due to bad weather only a handfull was able to come.

A sms received from VP Buds asking if the ride scheduled for tomorrow will push thru and I replied that we have to cancell because no one confirmed their intention to join the ride..

With the initiative of VP Buds he was able to communicate with other members that are signifying their intention to join the ride. So it was agreed that upon that assembly time begins at 5:00am at Tambayan…

The following morning Sunday May 4, 2008 I received a sms from VP Buds inquiring my where abouts, at that time Iam preparing my self for the ride..

I arrived at Tambayan aroung 5:30am sorry guys, late sleep the nite before hehehe…there I saw our Aspirant Sir Moonraker, excited for his first Official Ride and group ride being his first time…. mind you guys he arrived at tambayan 5:00am, he is joined by VP Buds, followed by Sir Arjay and Wife then Sir Lamok and Wife..

After some lengthy discussion the group headed for Batangas at around 6:30am… The destination? Calatagan Batangas… First in mind was the beach previously visited by the group together with HRCP, but it is now a private beach…so we look for an alternative place.. luckily we were able to find one and with magical word of VP Buds we were able to get a discounted price… we only pay for the rental of cottage and no entrance feewas collected…

Before we proceed to the beach the group went to the market to purchase some pork and fish. We feasted on grilled liempo and tilapia, thanks to Sir Lamok our marketing manager and Sir Moonraker and couple Arjay and wife as our chefs.

We enjoy the cool and clear water of the beach and luckily it was a little overcast so we dont have sunburns hehehe…. VP Buds able to capture an eel he is a good fisherman…hehehe…

On our way home, we have a stop over to watch Polo Game in Calatagan, and wake boarding in Lagro de Oro…

At tambayan, we wave goodbye with each other for a nice and safer we had…

Till next time… Thanks You…

List of Riders:

01. Moonraker
02. Buds
03. Edfertor
04. Arjay and Wife
05. Lamok and Wife

Read more about the ride and view the photos in the forum thread here.

There was five, then nine, then eleven Jet Riders Club NCR riders, all willing and brave, mentally and physically fit to participate in this significant riding event, to endure the test of riding up north 1,490 kms. counter-clockwise North Luzon Loop Ride last April 17-20, 2008.

The four-day journey, principally to test the reliability and durability of Sym scooters especially the Joyride 200 and GTS 250, would serve as an unmatched showcase to span key sites of Northern Luzon. passing through the cities and provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Aparri, Kalinga Apayao, Ilocos Norte, ILocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Pampanga.

We wish to thank specially Mitsukoshi Phils. Inc., distributor of SYM scooters, Castrol Phils. for all the assistance given to us. Special thanks also to all the SYM branch managers up north, SYM Roxas, SYM Tuguegarao, SYM Aparri, SYM Batac, etc. for giving us cordial reception. Special thanks also to our member Ron Purisima aka rontristan, for making almost all the arrangements and communications who also acted as our ride coordinator and chief marshall that made this ride possible. Also Jabar from Tuguegarao(friend of Ron) and GT2xrm(Glenn) from Vigan.

(more…)

The sun is already setting over the horizon as we get off our bikes at an Indian casino parking lot. We are all feeling tired, but smiles are on everyone’s faces reflecting a very enjoyable ride we had today. I mumbled something about how good we had it today. While most are starting their Monday bent over doing work, we’re on our bikes riding some of the best roads in the San Diego County area. Enrique, our lone BMW rider responded to me with a smile, “Parang walang mga utang ano.” Ha! Ha! Ha!

I’ve seen Jojo Medina’s posts at MCP many times, but never had the pleasure of meeting him. Funny how we tell our kids to be careful who they “meet” through the internet, but here we are, making connections through the same medium and creating lasting relationships. I saw the invitation through MCP for the Southern California ride on a Saturday and it only took a second for me to decide. Work will always be there, but Jojo can’t wait. He’s only here in the U.S. for a few days on vacation with family.
(more…)

Yesterday, I got an early morning text from my mom & dad saying that our resort, CaliRana in Lake Caliraya is part of the “10 Awesome Family Destinations“ list as featured in Sunday Inquirer Magazine. The piece was written by the guy behind popular travel blog: One Awesome Planet (thanks, Anton!).

That reminded to tick off one item in my looong list of To-Dos: blog about the CaliRana Ride we had last February with my riding buddies. We weren’t the first group of riders to get there though. My brother’s mates in Xplorer Philippines had been there twice before (see their club gallery: March 2007 | Nov 2007).

Here are some pics from that weekend trip with the Vespa boys.

At the CaliRana parking lot. My wife has always been fascinated with the way riders park the bikes/scoots in line and facing just one side. She once asked me if we talk about the way were suppose to park for every single time and I told no since we just follow how the first guy parked. The reason why the scoots face the same side it that’s the way to lock handlebar. [READ MORE…]

• READ EVENT DETAILS